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Smile Politely @smilepolitely.com · 4h

Last weekend’s successful Small Press Fest leaned straight into the punk spirit of the moment: create art, resist the fascists.

The counterculture doing its thing in Champaign-Urbana - Arts

Last weekend’s successful Small Press Fest leaned straight into the punk spirit of the moment: create art, resist the fascists. Thursday night, Eric Von Haynes gave the keynote at Krannert Art Museum....

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Smile Politely @smilepolitely.com · 5h

Located just half an hour east from Urbana and ten minutes southwest from Kickapoo, Sleepy Creek Vineyard makes for a nice spot to relax, have a drink, and enjoy the last warm days ahead.

Sleepy Creek Vineyards, more than just wine - Food & Drink

I am trying to learn more about wines. A great way for that is to visit vineyards, so I can taste wine right where it comes from. My new obsession is Sleepy Creek Vineyard in ...

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Smile Politely @smilepolitely.com · 5h

Commonly referred to as ISR, this dining center received a major renovation and addition in fall of 2020. Open to the public, this dining hall now has eight micro-restaurants, offering a changing variety of meal options.

Plenty options at Illinois Street Dining Center - Food & Drink

Does anyone miss the Ballroom or Colonial Room lunch buffets that existed in the Illini Union? Well, University of Illinois Dining Services still has an opportunity for buffet dining open to the publi...

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Smile Politely @smilepolitely.com · 5h

She has spent over 20 years blending the traditional Afro-Caribbean sounds of her hometown Timbiquí with global music genres as a soloist and as the founder and lead vocalist of Canalón de Timbiquí.

Nidia Góngora, Guardian of Tradition, brought Colombian music to Urbana - Music

On Tuesday, September 30th, Nidia Góngora and her band performed to an enthusiastic audience in Krannert Center for the Performing Arts’ Colwell Playhouse. Góngora is celebrated as “The Guardian of Tr...

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Smile Politely @smilepolitely.com · 5h

Another school year, another editorial about Champaign Unit 4 Schools. This week, our Editorial Board is here to share some thoughts about the district’s search for a new superintendent.

Unit 4 seeks feedback on a new superintendent - Opinion

Another school year, another editorial about Champaign Unit 4 schools. This week, we’re here to share some thoughts about the district’s search for a new superintendent. The previous superintendent, D...

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Smile Politely @smilepolitely.com · 6h

The dinner-only restaurant has a small menu of mighty eats by Chef Benny DelValley.

Pond Street restaurant now open in VFW Post 630 - SPlog

Pond Street restaurant is now open inside VFW Post 630 in Urbana. The dinner-only restaurant has a small menu of mighty eats by Chef Benny DelValley. The dish to know is his signature original fish .....

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Smile Politely @smilepolitely.com · 1d

Our community loves this holiday. Remington rounded up a short list of fun things to do as a family, with friends, or even just solo.

Some tricks and treats to do this Halloween - SPlog

I’ve said it a lot already, but I’ll remind you: I love Halloween. It’s silly, spooky, and sugary. It’s sensational! And by the looks of it, our community loves the holiday, too. I’ve rounded up ...

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Smile Politely @smilepolitely.com · 1d

Whether it’s visual or performing arts, theatre, literature, or film, Champaign-Urbana has always nurtured a vibrant arts community. We are looking for new contributors for our Arts section.

Write about the arts for Smile Politely - SPlog

Whether it’s visual or performing arts, theatre, literature, or film, Champaign-Urbana has always nurtured a vibrant arts community. We are looking for new contributors for our Arts section: You can s...

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Smile Politely @smilepolitely.com · 1d

As writer Joon Lee argues, sports are “one of the last activities that can still be a shared American experience that cuts across class, race, and geography,” but instead of uniting us, they’re being carved up to the point that “belonging is for sale.”

Youth sports accessibility is a problem; here’s how basketball can help - Opinion

The youth sports scene in America has become unrecognizable. What used to be an informal, community-centric enterprise that emphasized access and opportunity for all has devolved into an increasingly ...

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Smile Politely @smilepolitely.com · 1d

The opening reception for BLXCK Uncanny: Tales of the Black + the Weird will feature works from Oriana Crutcher, Elias Finkelman, Patrick Earl Hammie, and Black Kirby at University YMCA.

Get weird at BLXCK Uncanny opening reception - SPlog

The opening reception for BLXCK Uncanny: Tales of the Black + the Weird will feature works from Oriana Crutcher, Elias Finkelman, Patrick Earl Hammie, and Black Kirby. And while it might be weird, it’...

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Smile Politely @smilepolitely.com · 1d

This year’s October Dance opened Dance at Illinois’s season-long theme, Black on Black: A Celebration of Black Dance, and the evening felt like a living conversation between generations of artists.

October Dance honors Black lineage and Black brilliance - Arts

The lights dimmed at 7:36 p.m. and Cynthia Oliver stepped forward to deliver the land acknowledgement. It was more than a formality. Her words grounded the room, setting the tone for what was about to...

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Smile Politely @smilepolitely.com · 1d

If you are an expert on AI use and the environment and are willing to talk or write about local impacts, please shoot us an email.

I want to talk to local experts about AI and the environment - SPlog

A couple days ago, I read this article from Illinois Public Media. “Virtual water: Inside Illinois’ data centers, water flows quietly — and unchecked” notes the extreme need for energy and water by ma...

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Smile Politely @smilepolitely.com · 1d

Sinfonia da Camera‘s upcoming show this weekend dives straight into one of classical music’s most fascinating love triangles: Johannes Brahms, Robert Schumann, and Clara Schumann.

Passion, devotion, and the music it sparked - SPlog

Sinfonia da Camera‘s upcoming show dives straight into one of classical music’s most fascinating love triangles: Johannes Brahms, Robert Schumann, and Clara Schumann. The emotional connections between...

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Smile Politely @smilepolitely.com · 1d

Moving into the old Cafe Kopi, The Caffeine Rx will be opening soon, serving a menu of coffee by Fire Department Coffee out of Rockford, in addition to matcha drinks and Alani mixers.

Peek inside new cafe The Caffeine Rx, opening soon - SPlog

There’s a new cafe moving into the old Cafe Kopi (RIP). The Caffeine Rx will be opening in Downtown Champaign soon serving a menu of coffee by Fire Department Coffee out of Rockford, Illinois in ...

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Smile Politely @smilepolitely.com · 2d

Common Ground Food Co-Op has you covered for the all-important holiday meal pièce de résistance: the turkey.

Pre-order your local holiday turkey - SPlog

Common Ground Food Co-Op has you covered for the all-important holiday meal pièce de résistance: the turkey. You can now pre-order a turkey from Triple S Farms. Frozen turkeys are available in small (...

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Smile Politely @smilepolitely.com · 2d

A short week but there are plenty of things to do: make a candle, see Elvis Costello, eat some cheese curds, and get in some laughs at comedy night.

The Week: October 14-16 - Culture

A short week but there are plenty of things to do: make a candle, see Elvis Costello, eat some cheese curds, and get in some laughs at comedy night.

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Smile Politely @smilepolitely.com · 6d

YWCA Champaign County is hosting their annual 100 Women Leaders Celebration, the Peace, Justice, & Dignity dinner on October 25th, recognizing women leaders within the community and their achievements.

Save the date for the YWCA 100 Women Leaders Celebration - SPlog

The YWCA of Champaign County is hosting their annual 100 Women Leaders Celebration, the Peace, Justice, & Dignity dinner, on October 25th. The event will recognize women leaders within the community a...

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Smile Politely @smilepolitely.com · 6d

Omar M. Yaghi, who earned his chemistry Ph.D. from University of Illinois in 1990, just won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

U of I alum Omar Yaghi wins Nobel Prize in Chemistry - SPlog

We’re celebrating one of our own today: Omar M. Yaghi, who earned his chemistry Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in 1990, just won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He’s now a chemistry professo...

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Smile Politely @smilepolitely.com · 6d

In just a couple of days, the marvelous acts at last weekend's C-U Folk & Roots Festival carried KT on a sonic field trip both around the country, and ultimately, around the world.

CU Folk & Roots Festival was a sonic field trip - Music

While I had stumbled upon it in previous years, this year marked my intentional venture to the CU Folk & Roots Festival. As someone who gravitates towards heavy-sounding music, I wasn’t quite so sure ...

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Smile Politely @smilepolitely.com · 6d

Alyssa thinks Mama’s Kitchen has the potential to be as beloved and longstanding as Bombay Market.

Mama's Kitchen, a grocery counter with flavor that wows - Food & Drink

Read a review of the grocery store restaurant inside Bombay Market Indian Grocery in the new location on University Avenue.

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Smile Politely @smilepolitely.com · 6d

When you want to create your own cordials, make papier mache masks inspired by woodland folklore, or learn to weave baskets, where else can you go but to Allerton Park. Their chock-full, seasonal classes from their folk school, The Farms, are always a celebration of local talent and creativity.

Cozy up at Allerton for seasonal The Farms classes - SPlog

When you want to create your own cordials, make papier mache masks inspired by woodland folklore, or learn to weave baskets, where else can you go but to Allerton Park and Retreat Center. Their chock-...

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Smile Politely @smilepolitely.com · 6d

You should visit Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in Theatre, one of the 400 remaining drive-in theaters, recently voted the top drive-in nationwide by Newsweek's Readers' Choice.

America’s best drive-in - Culture

When I was a teenager (not so long ago), my friends and I would meet at a suburban strip mall for a multi-plex movie followed by an outing at the Buffalo Wild Wings next door. ...

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Smile Politely @smilepolitely.com · 6d

Hound's Court's new cocktail list also offers a pumpkin spice latte martini, a paw-garita, Plump up the Jam, and more.

Thirsty Thursday: Li Hing Pineapple at Hound's Court - SPlog

This week is begins fall break for Champaign’s Unit 4. I’m not going on a Hawaiian vacation, but I wish I was. This week, I’m thirsty for a li hing pineapple at Hound’s Court. The ...

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Smile Politely @smilepolitely.com · 6d

Don’t miss October Dance (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday). Rid yourself of old electronics, have some wine, support good causes, and listen to great music.

The Weekender: October 10-12 - Culture

Don't miss October Dance (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday). Rid yourself of old electronics, have some wine, support good causes, and listen to great music.

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Smile Politely @smilepolitely.com · 7d

The monthly movie lineup from Normal Theater is really spooktacular. They’re showing a full month of our favorite nostalgic films that we think are fun to enjoy all year round, just particularly this time of year.

The Normal Theater lineup this month is so good it’s scary - SPlog

I love this spooky month. I’m kind of a wimp, actually, when it comes to handling truly scary movies, but I love Halloween and all its festivities. It’s a holiday rich with history, modernly celebrate...

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